Some European Policies
(From EU Ufficial Site)
Maritime affairs and fisheries
The livelihoods of many EU citizens depend on the sea and its resources – fish, of course, but also energy from offshore wind parks and oil and gas fields. The EU's merchant fleet depends on the world's oceans for trade. Coastal areas are magnets for tourists - another source of livelihoods.
Agriculture
EU farm policy – the common agricultural policy – serves many purposes:
- helps farmersproduce sufficient quantities of foodfor Europe
- ensures this food issafe(for example throughtraceability)
- protects farmers from excessiveprice volatilityandmarket crises
- helps theminvest in modernisingtheir farms
- sustains viablerural communities, with diverse economies
- creates and maintainsjobsin the food industry
- protects theenvironmentanimal welfare.
Food safety in the EU
The EU's food safety policy covers food from farm to fork. It is designed to guarantee:
- safe, nutritious food & animal feed
- high standards of animal health & welfare & plant protection
- clear information on the origin, content/labelling & use of food.
Competition
The EU's rules on competition are designed to ensure fair and equal conditions for businesses, while leaving space for innovation, unified standards, and the development of small businesses.
Enterprise
The EU aims to make EU industry and business morecompetitiveand to promotejob creationandeconomic growthby creating a business-friendly environment, particularly for small businesses and the manufacturing industry.
One market without borders
In the EU’s single market (sometimes also called the internal market)people,goods,services, andmoneycan move aroundthe EU as freely as within a single country.Mutual recognitionplays a central role in getting rid of barriers to trade.
EU citizens can study, live, shop, work and retire in any EU country - and enjoy products from all over Europe.
Trade
The EU is the world’s biggest trader, accounting for 16.5% of the world's imports and exports. Free trade among its members was one of the EU's founding principles, and it is committed to liberalising world trade as well.
Culture in the European Union
The EU seeks topreserve Europe's shared cultural heritageand helpmake it accessible to others, as well as supporting and promoting the arts and creative industries in Europe.
Human rights
Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights – these values are embedded in the EU treaties. Now they have been reinforced by theCharter of Fundamental Rights.
Economic and monetary affairs
EU countries coordinate their national economic policies so they can act together when faced with challenges such as economic and financial crises. This coordination has been pushed even further by the 19 countries that have adopted the euro as their currency.